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CMTA Announces Second Annual “Coolest Thing Made in California” Contest Powered by JPMorganChase

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SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is thrilled to announce the search begins for this year’s “Coolest Thing Made in California.” The second-annual contest powered by JPMorganChase, celebrates the innovation and creativity of the state’s manufacturing sector.

The “Coolest Thing Made in California” contest is a unique bracket-style tournament in which the public can nominate their favorite products made in the Golden State. This contest highlights the vital role manufacturing plays in California’s economy, which employs 1.3 million people and contributes $310 billion to the state’s annual GDP.

“We are excited to kick off the second year of this contest, showcasing the remarkable products made right here in California,” said Lance Hastings, CEO & President of CMTA. “The innovation and craftsmanship that our manufacturers bring to the table are truly inspiring, and we look forward to highlighting the best of the best through this year’s contest.”

Last year’s contest made headlines, as more than 90,000 votes were cast, and CMTA reached more than 95,870 social media accounts during the weeks-long contest. California’s Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis partnered with CMTA to promote the contest and presented the awards during National Manufacturing Day 2023. Four companies went head-to-head vying for the first-ever title of ‘Coolest Thing Made in California.’ Tesla’s Model Y beat out Carmazzi Caramel Corn’s popcorn made in Sacramento, Millennium Space Systems’ Victus Nox made in El Segundo, and Northrop Grumman’s James Webb Space Telescope made in Redondo Beach.

The contest schedule is as follows:

Nominations Open: July 29 – August 8, 2024Popular Round: August 12-15, 2024Top 16 Round: August 26-29, 2024Top 4 Round: September 2-6, 2024Awards Ceremony and MakingCA Conference: October 18, 2024

The “Coolest Thing Made in California” contest highlights the outstanding products manufactured in the state and underscores the importance of manufacturing to California’s economy and its role in driving innovation.

How it works:

Nominations: From July 29 to August 8, 2024, the public can nominate any product made in California by visiting the contest website. This is an opportunity to recognize and support local manufacturers across the state. Please note that products that made it into the 2023 Top 4 round cannot be nominated again.Voting: The contest then moves into a series of voting rounds where the public decides which products advance to the next round. There are four rounds of voting starting with the Popular Round which will narrow the field to the top 16 products. A bracket is formed from the Top 16 Round and voting continues to the Top 8 Round, to the Top 4 Round, and finally, the selection of the winner.Awards Ceremony: The contest culminates in an awards ceremony at the MakingCA Conference on October 18, 2024, where the winner will be announced and celebrated.

To nominate a product or for more information about the contest, please visit CoolestThingCalifornia.com. Join us in celebrating the incredible talent and innovation of California’s manufacturers ahead of National Manufacturing Month in October.

About CMTA

The California Manufacturers & Technology Association has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $300 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state. For more information, visit the CMTA website.

Contact:
Ananda Rochita
Vice President, Communications
CMTA
arochita@cmta.net

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SOURCE California Manufacturers & Technology Association

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In 75 years, China has become increasingly prominent in driving global development: Global Times editorial

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BEIJING, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China is a momentous occasion, not only for the over 1.4 billion Chinese people but also with global significance and historical importance. 

Over these 75 years, the journey of Chinese modernization has profoundly transformed China and influenced the world, truly realizing that “our work will be written in the annals of human history.” 

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Amid a changing international landscape, China has steadfastly maintained an independent and peaceful foreign policy, upholding international fairness and justice. As China increasingly approaches global center stage, it continues to make new and greater contributions to the cause of peace and development for humanity.

Seventy-five years ago, when this ancient nation in the East opened a new chapter in its history, the world was just beginning to recover from the devastation of two wars. From a struggling agricultural country, China has evolved into the world’s second-largest economy, the world’s leading manufacturing power, the top trader of goods, and the holder of the largest foreign exchange reserves. This historical elevation in national strength matches China’s significant contributions to global development. 

From 1979 to 2023, China’s average annual contribution to global economic growth reached 24.8 percent, with an average of over 30 percent from 2013 to 2023. For 12 consecutive years, China’s outbound direct investment in foreign countries has ranked among the top three globally, holding over 10 percent of the global share for eight years. China’s “new three items” – electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar cells – are facilitating the globe to accelerate their green and low-carbon transitions, while its infrastructure projects span over 190 countries and regions worldwide. Today, averagely speaking, China engages in approximately 80 million yuan ($11.4 million) worth of trade with the world every minute, invests approximately 112 million yuan abroad every hour, and attracts about 3.377 billion yuan in foreign investment daily. The development of China is intricately linked with global progress, achieving mutual success, and driving the world toward greater progress and prosperity.

A great nation with over 5,000-year-old civilization stands majestically in the East, as over 1.4 billion people stride forward on the path to modernization. Such a vast scale itself is one of the main powerful driving forces for the progress of the entire world and human society. The practices of Chinese modernization teaches us that development is the key to solving all problems. China has proposed the Global Development Initiative to support the development and revitalization of countries in the Global South. By the end of 2023, China’s direct investment in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative had exceeded $300 billion. Chinese companies have built the first ultra-high voltage direct current transmission line in the Americas, the first electrified railway, the first digital mine, and numerous infrastructure and livelihood projects in Africa, making an indelible contribution to global infrastructure construction.

From “seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China” to “seek peace even if you have to go as far as China,” peace is a valuable public good that China offers to a turbulent world. Over the past 75 years, China has never initiated any war or conflict and has never occupied an inch of another country’s territory. In the face of numerous international security challenges, China has proposed the Global Security Initiative. It has mediated the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, facilitated a historic reconciliation among Palestinian factions, and promoted a political resolution to the crisis in Ukraine. Today, China has become the second-largest contributor to the UN regular budget, the second-largest contributor to peacekeeping operations, and the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. China has always been committed to promoting world peace and development.

To leave behind achievements worthy of being engraved in world history, a nation and its people must not only be judged by their material accomplishments but also by the amount of spiritual wealth they have contributed. The latter often holds more profound significance than the former. 

In today’s world, where the destinies of nations are closely intertwined, China has proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, advocating cultural exchanges that transcend estrangement, mutual learning that transcends clashes, and coexistence that transcends feelings of superiority. It addresses significant questions, such as how different civilizations can coexist and where human civilization is headed, offering Chinese wisdom and solutions to promote cultural exchanges and the advancement of human civilization.

Over the past 75 years, China has demonstrated an uncommon empathy in the political arena of major powers throughout human history. From proposing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, emphasizing equality and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, to the new era’s initiatives like jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and the promotion of solidarity and cooperation among the Global South, China has advocated that the sovereignty of all countries are equal regardless of size on global arena while showing respect and support for the development of other countries. 

China has provided the worldview of “shared future” and the methodology of “jointly building and win-win cooperation” for all mankind. This is rare in the history of human civilization and is urgently needed in today’s world. 

The 75-year journey through challenges has underscored the invaluable role China plays in global peace, development and progress. The modernization China has promoted, which embodies justice, openness, mutual benefit, people-first policies, diversity, inclusiveness, eco-friendliness, and peace and security, will only become more significant and valuable to the world as time progresses.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-75-years-china-has-become-increasingly-prominent-in-driving-global-development-global-times-editorial-302261976.html

SOURCE Global Times

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Xinhua Silk Road: Research project on sustainable development of agriculture and animal husbandry launched with support from Chinese dairy giant Mengniu

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BEIJING, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With support from Mengniu public welfare foundation set up by Chinese dairy giant Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Co., Ltd., China Economic Information Service recently established a research group to carry out studies on how the ecological protection compensation mechanism and the mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products can promote sustainable development of agriculture and animal husbandry.

The research group will first sort out relevant policies and theories on the topic.

Field visits and research then will be conducted in key regions of agriculture and animal husbandry development nationwide. The research group will identify prominent problems that arise in local practices where the two mechanisms are adopted to boost sustainable development of agriculture and animal husbandry and analyze specific causes. The group will also create hypotheses about combining the ecological protection compensation mechanism and the ecological product value realization mechanism to propel agriculture and animal husbandry sustainability.

Finally, the researchers will compile a report based on research results and put forward suggestions.

Founded in 2022, the Mengniu public welfare foundation carry out public welfare and charity activities mainly related to emergency and disaster relief, rural revitalization, nutrition empowerment, and ecological protection.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/342397.html

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SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road

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Global Times: Chinese youth increasingly embrace, share millennia-old cultural traditions

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BEIJING, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Li Ziyao, a young Chinese student studying in Boston, the US, recently completed Black Myth: Wukong, a game playing based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.

He was excited that this game, rich in traditional cultural elements, has become a sensation in America too. As he observed his American classmates discussing the Monkey King, the architectural styles, and Chinese history, a strong sense of pride surged within him.

“I am witnessing firsthand how Chinese culture is being spread and understood globally in a novel and modern way,” Li told the Global Times.

Culture plays a vital role in inspiring national spirit, maintaining identity, and promoting both economic and personal development.

China’s achievements over the past 75 years are closely tied to its millennia-old culture and cultural confidence. Generations of young people with strong values and ethics worked to develop Chinese culture and present it to the world. 

Chinese civilization has thrived along with the open expression of young people. They relish and discuss with foreign friends China’s traditional culture, allowing it to resonate with international audiences. 

In ancient times, Chinese ancestors sailed the seas along the historical Maritime Silk Road, spreading Chinese culture toward the rest of the world.

Today, young people, especially Generation Z, are using unique ways to share Chinese culture with the world.

Set new trend

Li mentioned that one of the American Twitch streamers he follows, Zack, also known as Asmongold, a content creator with over 2.9 million YouTube subscribers, once commented that Chinese mythology has a natural freshness for Western players, sparking their desire to explore the unknown.

The cultural elements carried by Black Myth: Wukong are also reflected in its music. The game incorporates traditional Chinese melodies from the 1986 hit TV series Journey to the West soundtrack, including the iconic track Celestial Symphony in key scenes.

“Hearing Celestial Symphony evokes me an indescribable feeling of nostalgia. One of my American classmates told me that the music made him feel as if he were immersed in a world filled with the charm of ancient Eastern culture,” Li noted.

With the international success of Celestial Symphony, Li has noticed that many of his classmates have expressed their desire to learn traditional Chinese musical instruments, especially pipa, which embodies unique Chinese aesthetics.

In a recent interview, US musician Lauv commented on the beauty of pipa, while interacting with young pipa player Liu Jialiang, also known as Marsix.

During the interview, Marsix used pipa to perform Lauv’s breakout hit I Like Me Better. Lauv, who is also known as Ari Staprans Leff, is followed by more than 1 million fans on the platform known as X. 

The instrument’s sound, representing Chinese aesthetics, stunned the Western singer and left him with a look of amazement. Marsix’s performance has also revealed how the 2,000-year-old instrument remains versatile in playing global pop music. 

“I was thrilled to share our traditional music culture again,” the young player told the Global Times. He also emphasized that his journey with pipa has always been about “fusion.”

Since 2022, Marsix has been posting remixed pipa music that blends traditional Chinese melodies with Western genres like jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music. 

Through his fusion of traditional Chinese music, Marsix has captured the attention of international fans. On YouTube, netizens commented on Marsix’s performance, saying “the Chinese ‘guitar’ would set a new trend.” 

“I think the traditional instrument is a tool for us young Chinese musicians to express our open-mindedness to world music,” Marsix noted. 

Confident in his cultural roots, the young Chinese musician has also inspired many young fans in China to rediscover the beauty of traditional Chinese music. Marsix told the Global Times that most of his fans are in their 20s, and he hopes to guide them on a journey of rediscovering Chinese culture.

“In the past, the word ‘pipa’ would evoke images of classical performers, but now it represents a trendy instrument played by performers of all ages and genders. Young Chinese musicians are using their creativity to revive the tradition,” Zhu Xiao, a Chinese folk music fan and cucurbit flute player, told the Global Times. 

Dressed in confidence

For many in Generation Z, wearing Hanfu – traditional Chinese dress – is just like playing pipa as a way to reconnect with the cultural root and also a way to express cultural confidence.

Driven by strong curiosity about the world, Chinese storyboard artist Lei Yumeng, better known as Mi Lei, travels between reality and fantasy in her storyboard work. Nearly every piece of work she posts on social media becomes a hit. So far, the Chinese artist has more than 8 million followers on different platforms.

Lei’s love for Chinese culture extends to her admiration for Hanfu. She told the Global Times that through her paintings of Hanfu from various dynasties, she can explore the aesthetics and auspicious intentions of ancient Chinese people, as reflected in the clothing’s patterns and embroidery.

Lei’s embrace of Chinese cultural heritage has been recognized internationally, with her videos on platforms like Instagram earning praise for showcasing traditional clothing. This global appreciation has been a reminder of the richness of her motherland’s unique cultural roots, which she said she “has initially taken for granted.”

Lei said her work in animation and storytelling is a celebration of China’s cultural legacy, a legacy she is “proud to share with the world.”

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-chinese-youth-increasingly-embrace-share-millennia-old-cultural-traditions-302262003.html

SOURCE Global Times

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